Prefilter for small pond with a bead filter

[BA]

We have a 500 gallon pond with plants and WAY too many fish (2 koi and
multiple shibunkin, gold fish and cats). The fish are named, so losing
them is not an option. Had small external filters (sponges) with a
submersible pump that finally just could not keep up with the job (or
at least I could not keep up with the frequent need to clean). The
Aquadyne bead filter with a jacuzzi 1 hp external pump is
Spectacular--"gin clear" water for the first time in years. Now the
problem:

As pond experts would have predicted, a new situation: the pump's leaf
basket gets so clogged that the outflow of the pump diminishes to
almost zero every day; now instead of cleaning the sponge filter once a
week, I need to clean the pump leaf basket every day. A mesh bag
around the intake pipe in the pond helps a bit, but then there is a lot
of crap left in the pond, and then the bag needs cleaning.

There is precious little space available for the filtration system, and
the Aquadyne has almost completely taken this up. Are there any
suggestions for some sort of prefiltration approach that consumes
little space, is efficient, is low effort, and can be untended for 1-2
weeks, and occupies little space?

Many Thanks in advance for your advice.

[Koi-Lo]

*Note: There are two *Koi-Lo's* on the pond and aquaria groups.

"BA" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> There is precious little space available for the filtration system, and
> the Aquadyne has almost completely taken this up. Are there any
> suggestions for some sort of prefiltration approach that consumes
> little space, is efficient, is low effort, and can be untended for 1-2
> weeks, and occupies little space?
===========================================
I use two black plastic pond-plant pots wired together like clam-shells with
the pump inside. It seldom needs cleaning and the pump doesn't clog with
litter. If the flow slows down after some weeks, I pull them up, open the
clam-shell and hose everything out. It's usually just collected mulm and
rinses out quickly and easily.

Koi-Lo....
Aquariums since 1952. Frugal ponding since 1995.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages: http://tinyurl.com/9do58
Disclaimer: Rude, inane or obscene messages are not mine .
The person impersonating me is posting through Earthlink.net.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<~{@ ~~~~~<~~{@ ~~~<~~{@

[Go Fig]

In article . com>, BA
> wrote:

> We have a 500 gallon pond with plants and WAY too many fish (2 koi and
> multiple shibunkin, gold fish and cats). The fish are named, so losing
> them is not an option. Had small external filters (sponges) with a
> submersible pump that finally just could not keep up with the job (or
> at least I could not keep up with the frequent need to clean). The
> Aquadyne bead filter with a jacuzzi 1 hp external pump is
> Spectacular--"gin clear" water for the first time in years. Now the
> problem:
>
> As pond experts would have predicted, a new situation: the pump's leaf
> basket gets so clogged that the outflow of the pump diminishes to
> almost zero every day; now instead of cleaning the sponge filter once a
> week, I need to clean the pump leaf basket every day. A mesh bag
> around the intake pipe in the pond helps a bit, but then there is a lot
> of crap left in the pond, and then the bag needs cleaning.

Plumb the intake line into a bucket, pot or some such container and
fill it with 'pea gravel'.

jay
Wed May 24, 2006




>
> There is precious little space available for the filtration system, and
> the Aquadyne has almost completely taken this up. Are there any
> suggestions for some sort of prefiltration approach that consumes
> little space, is efficient, is low effort, and can be untended for 1-2
> weeks, and occupies little space?
>
> Many Thanks in advance for your advice.
>

[~ janj]

On 24 May 2006 12:01:16 -0700, "BA" > wrote:

>We have a 500 gallon pond with plants and WAY too many fish (2 koi and
>multiple shibunkin, gold fish and cats). The fish are named, so losing
>them is not an option. Had small external filters (sponges) with a
>submersible pump that finally just could not keep up with the job (or
>at least I could not keep up with the frequent need to clean). The
>Aquadyne bead filter with a jacuzzi 1 hp external pump is
>Spectacular--"gin clear" water for the first time in years. Now the
>problem:
>
>As pond experts would have predicted, a new situation: the pump's leaf
>basket gets so clogged that the outflow of the pump diminishes to
>almost zero every day; now instead of cleaning the sponge filter once a
>week, I need to clean the pump leaf basket every day. A mesh bag
>around the intake pipe in the pond helps a bit, but then there is a lot
>of crap left in the pond, and then the bag needs cleaning.
>
>There is precious little space available for the filtration system, and
>the Aquadyne has almost completely taken this up. Are there any
>suggestions for some sort of prefiltration approach that consumes
>little space, is efficient, is low effort, and can be untended for 1-2
>weeks, and occupies little space?
>
>Many Thanks in advance for your advice.

Pump is external/out-of-pond correct? Very few in-pond pumps have leaf
traps.

How is the water now exiting the pond? Skimmer, bottom drain? If skimmer,
perhaps some netting that can catch it in the skimmer? Otherwise, you have
the water flow into a container, similar to what Jay was talking about. I'd
go with something at least 30 or more gallons. The bigger the less often
you will clean it, then have the pump draw mid-surface water from this
container. A pre-filter will also lessen how often you need to back flush
the aquadyne. Btw, watch your KH (buffering) with a pressure filter, they
work best when KH is 150-200. ~ jan
--------------
See my ponds and filter design:
www.jjspond.us

~Keep 'em Wet!~
Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
To e-mail see website

[Derek Broughton]

BA wrote:

> We have a 500 gallon pond with plants and WAY too many fish (2 koi and
> multiple shibunkin, gold fish and cats).

I'm not a cat lover, but I'm pretty sure you really shouldn't keep them in a
pond :-)

> As pond experts would have predicted, a new situation: the pump's leaf
> basket gets so clogged that the outflow of the pump diminishes to

I'm not sure we'd predict it - most ponds probably don't have _that_ many
leaves, daily.

> almost zero every day; now instead of cleaning the sponge filter once a
> week, I need to clean the pump leaf basket every day. A mesh bag
> around the intake pipe in the pond helps a bit, but then there is a lot
> of crap left in the pond, and then the bag needs cleaning.

You need a surface skimmer...

> and can be untended for 1-2 weeks, and occupies little space?

But with that many leaves, I'm still doubt 1-2 weeks.
--
derek

[BA]

Good idea; will try. Many thanks!

[BA]

Good idea; will try. Many thanks!

[BA]

Many thanks for your response. Looked at your pond pages--impressive.
Water exiting pond via 1 1/2 inch tubing terminating in broad mesh
screen on bottom of pond. Material being trapped is relatively
small--appears to be fragments of floating plants rather than leaves.
30 gallon unit cosmetically unacceptable (like wires to the stereo in
the living room). Will watch the KH.

BA Finstead

[BA]

Thanks for your response. My error. The "leaf trap" is clogging with
small bits that look like fragments of plants, not leaves. They get
lodged in the small openings of the leaf trap, and effectively stop
water flow through the leaf trap. Not lots of stuff on the surface;
not certain that the cosmetic downfall of the skimmer would justify
its' effectiveness. I am also not a cat fan; would probably be willing
to consider alternatives involving cats, but am limited by spousal
considerations.

Again, thanks for your response.

BA Finstead

[BA]

Many thanks for your help. I checked out your pond pages--most
impressive. I do have the predator thing figured out; if you would
like my input, please email me off line.

BA Finstead

[Roy]

Seems to me Derek is not much of a lover of anything except perhaps
himself and Carol aka Koilo...and of course himself, oh I already said
that.\
Too bad he does not live closer to me than he does, it would be
worthwhile collecting all these free giveaway cats and making one mass
drop at his domicile..............



On Wed, 24 May 2006 21:07:17 -0300, Derek Broughton
> wrote:
>><>BA wrote:
>><>
>><>> We have a 500 gallon pond with plants and WAY too many fish (2 koi and
>><>> multiple shibunkin, gold fish and cats).
>><>
>><>I'm not a cat lover, but I'm pretty sure you really shouldn't keep them in a
>><>pond :-)
>><>
>><>> As pond experts would have predicted, a new situation: the pump's leaf
>><>> basket gets so clogged that the outflow of the pump diminishes to
>><>
>><>I'm not sure we'd predict it - most ponds probably don't have _that_ many
>><>leaves, daily.
>><>
>><>> almost zero every day; now instead of cleaning the sponge filter once a
>><>> week, I need to clean the pump leaf basket every day. A mesh bag
>><>> around the intake pipe in the pond helps a bit, but then there is a lot
>><>> of crap left in the pond, and then the bag needs cleaning.
>><>
>><>You need a surface skimmer...
>><>
>><>> and can be untended for 1-2 weeks, and occupies little space?
>><>
>><>But with that many leaves, I'm still doubt 1-2 weeks.

[Koi-Lo]

*Note: There are two *Koi-Lo's* on the pond and aquaria groups.

"BA" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Many thanks for your help. I checked out your pond pages--most
> impressive. I do have the predator thing figured out; if you would
> like my input, please email me off line.
>
> BA Finstead
>
================================
We had a dreadful problem before we netted the ponds. We have the predators
under control using the fine black bird-nets. It's the only thing that
keeps *everything* out of the ponds and tubs that we have here. That
includes the herons, the kingfishers, the large snakes and bullfrogs, the
snapping turtles, the neighborhood dogs and even the occasional raccoon.
The small newts, tiny frogs and baby snakes do no harm to the larger fish.
These smaller critters can't get into the tall above-ground tubs where the
small fish are - but thanks for the offer. :-)

You may want to share the information HERE for the benefit of any lurkers
who may be having problems.

Koi-Lo....
Aquariums since 1952. Frugal ponding since 1995.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages: http://tinyurl.com/9do58
Disclaimer: I do not post from Google, Earthlink, Usenetzone or Verizon.
Rude, inane or obscene messages are not mine .
The person impersonating me is posting through Earthlink.net.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<~{@ ~~~~~<~~{@ ~~~<~~{@